Fleischner 2017 guideline

by Onno Mets and Robin Smithuis

the Academical Medical Centre, Amsterdam and the Alrijne Hospital, Leiderdorp, the Netherlands

Publicationdate 2017-07-01

Pulmonary nodules are frequently encountered incidentally on chest CT.

The role of the radiologist is to separate between benign and possibly malignant lesions, and advise on follow-
up imaging or additional invasive imaging techniques.

This article summarizes the basics of indeterminate pulmonary nodules, and presents the newest manage-
ment recommendations of the Fleischner Society.

Introduction
Fleischner Guideline 2017
Introduction
Solid nodules
Subsolid nodules
Risk factors
Notes
Pulmonary Nodule Measurements
Perifissural nodules

Introduction
Pulmonary nodules can be divided into solid lesions and subsolid lesions, which can be further subdivided
into part-solid and pure ground glass nodules.

Here some definitions:

Subsolid nodule (SSN)
A pulmonary nodule with at least partial groundglass appearance
Groundglass
Opacification with a higher density than the surrounding tissue, not obscuring underlying
bronchovascular structures

Fleischner Guideline 2017

Introduction

In 2017 the updated Fleischner Society guideline was published[1].

These replace the recommendations for solid (2005) [2] and subsolid pulmonary nodules (2013) [3].
These new guidelines should reduce the number of unnecessary follow-up examinations and provide clear
management decisions.

Nodule characterization should be performed on thin-slice CT images ≤1.5 mm, since a small solid nodule may
appear to have groundglass density on a thick slice due to partial-volume effect.
Solid nodules

Solid pulmonary nodules can represent various etiologies:

benign granulomas
focal scar
intrapulmonary lymph nodes
primary malignancies
metastatic disease.
Perifissural nodules are a separate entity, since they usually represent intrapulmonary lymph nodes, which
are benign and need no follow up.
They are discussed in the last chapter.

In another article we presented some features that can help to differentiate between benign and malignant
lesions (click here)
Unfortunately, there is considerable overlap and often no definitive answer can be given based on imaging
morphology.
Follow-up is therefore a commonly used strategy.
Subsolid nodules

Most subsolid nodules are transient and the result of infection or hemorrhage.
However, persistent subsolid nodules often represent pathology in the adenocarcinomatous spectrum.

No reliable distinction can be made radiologically, although studies suggest that larger size and a solid compo-
nent are associated with more invasive behaviour.
Compared to solid lesions, persistent subsolid nodules have a much slower growth rate, but carry a much
higher risk of malignancy.
In a study by Henschke et al., part-solid nodules were malignant in 63%, pure groundglass SSNs in 18% and
solid nodules only in 7% [4].
 Subsolid nodules in the adenocarcinomatous spectrum were formerly known as bronchoalveolar carcinoma
or BAC.
This terminology should no longer be used.

A new pathology-based classification for adenocarcinoma was introduced in 2011 and this current classifica-
tion makes distinction between:
1. Adenocacinoma in situ.
2. Minimally invasive adenocarcinoma.
3. Invasive adenocarcinoma.

Transient subsolid nodule

Transient subsolid nodules usually represent infection or alveolar hemorrhage.

To differentiate between transient or persistent subsolid nodules a follow-up CT should be obtained.
Previously, it was recommended to repeat imaging after 3 months, however, this interval has been increased
to 12 months.
Because of the slower growth rate, the total follow-up period for persistent subsolid nodules has been in-
creased to 5 years.

The images show a 7 mm pure groundglass subsolid nodule in the right upper lobe.
On follow-up CT this proved to be a transient subsolid nodule.
Persistent malignant subsolid nodule

These images show a pure groundglass subsolid nodule in the right lower lobe.
This lesion demonstrated growth in a two year interval and proved to be malignant after resection.

Risk factors

Defining high- or low-risk is currently more difficult than it was in the old guideline.
Previously a high-risk subject was identified based on a history of heavy smoking, history of lung cancer in a
first-degree relative or exposure to asbestos, radon or uranium.

Now, it is aimed for to separate high-risk lesions from low-risk ones by considering more parameters than
subject characteristics alone (See Table).
Since these risk factors are numerous and have different effects on the malignancy risk, it is proposed to as-
sess final risk categories concerning the probability of malignancy [8](Table).

Notes
 The guideline recommends follow-up for nodules with an estimated lung cancer risk of around 1% or greater,
which is an arbitrary cut-off.

The likelihood of malignancy is different for an incidentally found pulmonary nodule in the lower lobe of a rel-
atively young patient compared to a nodule in the upper lobe of a high-risk heavy smoker, or in a patient with
a known or suspected malignancy.
For this reason the Fleischner guideline for the management of pulmonary nodules separates high- and low-
risk, and does not apply to subjects younger than 35 years, immunocompromised patients or patients with
cancer [1].

Pulmonary Nodule Measurements

A lesion which measures 8 x 5 mm has an average of (8 + 5) : 2 = 6.5 mm - rounded up to 7 mm

In the Fleischner guidelines nodule dimensions can be obtained using either 2D caliper measurements or 3D
nodule volumetry.
Manual 2D caliper measurements should be based on the average of the long- and short-axis diameters of
the nodule.
These should be obtained on the same transverse, coronal or sagittal reconstructed image, whichever plane
reveals the greatest dimensions [1].
This is new compared to the prior guideline, in which dimensions were averaged diameters in the axial plane
only [2].
Manual 2D caliper measurements should be rounded to the nearest whole millimeter.

In part-solid subsolid nodules both the total nodule as well as the solid component dimensions should be
measured separately, both using the abovementioned averaging technique.

Perifissural nodules
 Perifissural nodules are a separate entity, and likely represent intrapulmonary lymph nodes.
Morphologically these are solid, homogeneous nodules with a smooth margin, and are oval or rounded,
lentiform or triangular in shape.
Their location is within 15 mm of the fissure or the pleura. They may or may not have contact with an interlo-
bar septum.
The latter differentiates between a typical and atypical PFN (see Figure).
PFNs can show significant growth rates on serial imaging, sometimes comparable to malignant nodules.
This is not a typical sign of malignancy, but merely a result of their presumed lymphatic origin.

Typical PFNs. Images from Ref [Hoop].

In screening setting it has been shown that none of the 919 typical and atypical PFNs were found to be malig-
nant in a 5.5 year follow-up [5].
This confirmed prior results of Ahn et al. [6].
It is assumed that this benign etiology can be extrapolated to clinical subjects, which has recently been sup-
ported by a study using routine-care clinical CT imaging [7].
 The currently available guidelines recommend that when small nodules have a perifissural or other juxtapleu-
ral location and a morphology consistent with an intrapulmonary lymph node, follow-up CT is not recom-
mended, even if the average dimension exceeds 6 mm.

Non-PFN nodules. Courtesy of M. Prokop

Perifissurally located nodules that do not conform to the morphologic characteristics should be regarded as
non-PFN nodules (Figure) and does require follow-up.

1. Guidelines for Management of Incidental Pulmonary Nodules Detected on CT Images: From the Fleischner Society
2017
by MacMahon et al.
Radiology (2017) DOI10.1148/radiol.2017161659. [Epub ahead of print]
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Society
by MacMahon et al.
Radiology (2005) 237:395-400
3. Recommendations for the management of subsolid pulmonary nodules detected at CT: a statement from the
Fleischner Society.
by Naidich DP. et al.
Radiology (2013) 266(1):304-17.
4. CT screening for lung cancer: frequency and significance of part-solid and nonsolid nodules.
by Claudia I. Henschke et al
AJR 2002;178:1053-1057
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by de Hoop B. et al.
Radiology (2012) 265(2):611-6
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by Ahn et al.
Radiology (2010) 254(3):949-956
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by Mets et al.
Eur Radiol (2017) DOI 10.1007/s00330-017-5055-x [Epub ahead of print]Incidental perifissural nodules on routine
chest computed tomography: lung cancer or not?
8. Evaluation of Individuals With Pulmonary Nodules: When Is It Lung Cancer?
 by Michael K. Gould et al.
Chest. 2013 May; 143(5 Suppl): e93S-e120S.
9. BTS Guidelines for the Investigation and Management of Pulmonary Nodules

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